19 fun, spooktacular Halloween happenings in the Princeton area this weekend

Princeton University Department of Physics 2017 Pumpkin Toss – The Department of Physics will be hosting its inaugural “Physics Pumpkin Toss” competition at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, October 27, in the Jadwin Hall Courtyard. The experimental gravity competition will pit four teams of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers against each other to toss pumpkins off the roof of Jadwin Hall. 3:30 p.m. Free More information

Howell History Farm Corn Maze Fun – Howell Farm’s 21st annual corn maze features wild and wooly challenges for those prepared to navigate its 10-foot tall corn and match wits with the MazeMaster. The maze is a giant, walk-on puzzle with pathways forming the image of a shepherd and flock of sheep, a familiar sight at the nearby Howell Farm. 5 p.m. More information

Princeton Hometown Halloween Parade – All are invited to dress in their best costumes to join the Arts Council of Princeton for the annual Hometown Halloween Parade on Friday, Oct. 27 at 5:15 p.m. on the Palmer Square Green. Enjoy the music of the Princeton University Marching Band before the parade. 1 Palmer Square, Princeton. Free More information

Waldorf Halloween Walk 2017 – The Waldorf School of Princeton presents: Halloween Walk 2017 Walk silently on the path where you are drawn into magical tales and stories that come to life before your very eyes! …And there is nothing scary about it! Friday, October 27, 6:30-8 p.m. Groups leave at intervals beginning at 6:30 p.m. Waldorf School of Princeton, 1062 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton. $10 More information

Saturday, October 28

West Windsor Community Farmers Market Annual Halloween Costume Parade and Community Safety Day – Halloween costume parade at 1 a.m. Sixteen regional farms, twelve artisan food and natural product vendors, weekly community groups, live music, special events and cooking demonstrations are all part of the West Windsor Community Farmers Market. The market runs weekly, rain or shine from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. 2 Vaughn Drive, West Windsor. More information

Scary Storytime at Barnes & Noble – Readings of “Mary McScary” and “Creepy Pair of Underwear!” From the celebrated team behind “Creepy Carrots!”, Aaron Reynolds and Caldecott Honor winner Peter Brown, comes a hilarious (and just a little creepy) story of a brave rabbit and a very weird pair of underwear. Mary likes to be scary. She scares her parents and her pets. But there’s just one person Mary can’t scare — her cousin, Harry McScary. Activities after the readings. 11 a.m. Barnes & Noble, MarketFair, 3535 Route 1, West Windsor. Free.

Montgomery Trunk-or-Treat – 2nd annual Montgomery Trunk-or-Treat. This year the event will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Montgomery High School front parking lot. Children will go trunk to trunk for treats. Crafts, games, DJ and prize awarded to the best “trunk”! Residents can take part in by decorating their vehicles. Montgomery High School, 1016 Rt. 601, Skillman. Free More information

Rum & Onions XXXVIII Halloween Contra Dance – Join the Princeton Country Dancers for the Rum & Onions 38th consecutive year Halloween contra dance. Dancers, and aspiring dancers of all ages and levels, are invited. A basics workshop is offered from 7:00 to 7:30—anyone wishing to learn the basics of contra dancing is invited, and the workshop is included in the admission fee. 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Pond Road Middle School, 150 Pond Road, Robbinsville. More information

Origins of Halloween Night Hike – Journey through the woods on a crisp autumn night. You will follow your guide on a trail of glowing Jack O’ Lanterns; along the way you stop to meet the characters in an Irish Folktale that unfolds along the path. The founders of New Jersey’s Original Jack O’ Lantern Night Hike are bringing their 30-year tradition to the Watershed. 6 p.m., Stony Brook Millstone Watershed, 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington. $18 More information

Princeton University Football vs. Cornell University – Tiger fans! Come out and support your Princeton Tigers Saturday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. as they face off against Cornell. Halloween costume contest judged by a special guest. The first 1,000 fans receive a Princeton Football seat cushion! Be sure to wear your best costume to receive an $8 group rate ticket. More information

Sing-Along Rocky Horror Picture Show – Need an excuse to pull out those fishnets? The Trenton Film Society and Passage Theatre Company invite you to do the time warp and sing along to the 1975 cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Brad and Janet seek shelter at a mysterious old castle, where they encounter an assortment of crazy creatures. 8 p.m., Mill Hill Playhouse, 205 East Front Street, Trenton. $15 More information

Sunday, October 29

Halloween Spooktacular at the New Jersey State Museum – Free live show and Halloween-themed activities. Children are encouraged to come in costume for the annual costume contest. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., New Jersey State Museum, , 205 West State Street, Trenton.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame – The Pennington Players perform the musical based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature. 2 p.m. The Kelsey Theater, Mercer Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. $20.

Witches and Sailors Concert – The Westminster Community Orchestra presents “Witches and Sailors” featuring Hector Berlioz’s “Witches Sabbath” from Symphonie Fantastique, “Festival at Baghdad” from Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherezade, de Falla’s Ritual Fire Dance, and selections from the score for the film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe composed by Harry Gregson-Williams. 3 p.m., Robert L. Annis Playhouse, Westminster Choir College, Walnut Lane, Princeton. $15 for adults/$10 for students and seniors.